Thompson targeting first Laser World Championship title

British sailor Nick Thompson intends to lay down a marker to his global rivals by claiming his first ever title at the forthcoming Laser World Championships in Oman.

The 27-year-old has a fine World Championship pedigree having finished on the podium in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before being forced to miss last year's event through injury.

But raring to go once more, he heads out to the Al-Musannah Sports City alongside seven fellow British sailors for the 2013 World Championships, which take place between November 17-23.

And Thompson, who missed out on the London 2012 Olympics to Paul Goodison, insists taking success against his key rivals ahead of Rio 2016 would set him up nicely for his bid to get there.

"It's important in terms of funding, but really for me it's about trying to nail that world title," said Thompson. "To start doing that now sets down a huge marker for future in terms of personal confidence and also showing the others that you're capable of doing it.

"It gives you a little extra kick for the next few years gearing up to the Games. Having never actually managed to win a worlds, that is my goal. I'm very much looking to really try and win this one.

"You could go down every country pretty much and say there are guys who are capable of doing well on their day. I'm certainly going to try and be up there with them."